Patterns of Library Growth in English-Speaking West Africa.

The statistics which form the basis of this paper were compiled from the result of a questionnaire supplemented by correspondence and information from annual reports and the "Nigerian Libraries," and the "Ghana Library Journal." The data obtained from the questionnaire are presented in the appendices, and are followed by a list of libraries in the order in which they appear in the statistical table, with full name and address, explanatory notes and other relevant information. Two criteria were used as the basis for inclusion: administration by a professionally qualified librarian, and, in the absence of a professional, the size and special significance of the book collection. The data which was supplied falls under four headings: (1) use of the library-indicated by the number of registered readers and volumes borrowed, (2) stock - the library's total holdings in volumes and the number of serial titles currently received, (3) expenditure - annual recurrent expenditure (in some cases no distinction was made between capital and recurrent spending) and (4) staff - number of personnel. This investigation provides a check list of sixty-one libraries in the three English-speaking West African countries of Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. (Author/NH)